West Fife Villages Home

A Seventh Saline Superlative Success

Over 400 folk visited the Saline Community Centre last weekend to view the annual West Fife Villages Exhibition of Art, Photography and Crafts.

At 2 pm on Saturday Gareth Turner, the President of the Saline & District Horticultural and Handcraft Society, introduced Lys Hansen, international artist and former president of the Society of Scottish Artists, who officially opened the show.

14 trained at Saline First Responders

Saline First Responders now have 14 trained members, two of which have been trained to Intermediate level. This allows them to be able to respond to more complex situations.

There are three new recruits, who will attend the monthly meetings / updates until they finally decide whether they wish to complete the training or not.

Well, what can we say? Success - Yes!

Valleyfield Heritage Project art exhibition and workshop were well received at Valleyfield Centre’s Open Day, on Saturday 10th March.

Project member’s Margaret Bromley, Brian Montgomery, Stewart Ferguson Jnr., Kate Stewart, Jordan Bowe and Stewart Ferguson Snr., organised an Art Exhibition depicting event’s reminiscence of a mining community, courtesy of Artist, Jim Douglas.

Impressive line-up for Culross Festival

It’s the 20th Anniversary of the Culross Festival, and what a Festival we have lined up for this special year. We intend to put the glee into the Jubilee Weekend.

Have a look at the performers by clicking here:

CELEBRATING FIFE 2012…

Woodland Awakenings – a

Celebration of Snowdrops

West Fife Woodlands is pleased to once again be able to join forces with other partners to host this year’s Fife Snowdrops Spectacular. This follows several years of having offered Valleyfield Woodland Park and its wonderful displays of snowdrops as a participating venue in Visit Scotland’s annual Scottish Snowdrop Festival.

Forth coast explored in new book

Fife's Forth Coast is one of the most atmospheric coastlines in Scotland with so many villages seemingly lost in a time when the world was a little less complicated than it is today.

James Denham's book, 'Let us Discover Fife's Forth Coast,' takes a look at every town and village, their churches and schools, the industry, the great men who lived in Fife and who helped make the world a better place.

It’s finally happening in Valleyfield
Woodland Park

Fife Council has recently commenced restoration of the key elements of a former Humphry Repton designed landscape at Valleyfield Woodland Park, near Shiresmill.

This woodland once formed part of the estate of Valleyfield, owned by the Preston family from 1543.

In 1904 the family seat moved to Ardchattan in Argyll. Valleyfield was subsequently sold to the Fife Coal Company in 1907, after which the house was allowed to fall into disrepair and eventually demolished in 1941.

DVD of 'Life on Alloa Inch Farm'

A DVD of ''Life on Alloa Inch Farm'' - is now available from ''The Gallery'' at G R McFarlane, Watchmaker & Jewellers, 41 Mill Street, Alloa. Price £10

''The Gallery'' is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday.

New book on Saline Parish

Saline Parish has some interesting and unusual tales to tell.

Jules Verne took a holiday in the parish. The sons of a Saline man started and finished the American Civil War. A Saline man introduced department stores to Canada. A farm labourer’s son from Steelend became the greatest linguist and theologian of his age and worked for the Tsar of Russia. A Saline born earl became king of Scots. (Well almost) Two Saline brothers bought a ranch in Texas and fought Indians and bandits.

All these stories and more are contained in a new book entitled “Saline Parish; of Cabbages and Kings.

West Fife Multi-Cultural Group
is revived

“Together, we can make changes where necessary.”

This is what Liina, an Estonian who now resides in Fife, thinks about the revival of the West Fife Multi-Cultural Group which again became active in July this year.

Maureen stands down as council chair

Maureen Hunter has stood down as chairperson of Cairneyhill Community Council after 10 years in the position.

She has been succeeded by Allan Arbuthnott.

Maureen is pictured receiving a bouquet from Allan at a meeting of the council.

Toddle along to Carnock group

The aim of the 'Carnock & District Toddlers Group' is to provide a safe and informed environment for babies and toddlers of pre-school age to play, learn and grow, under the supervision of their parents/carers.

Babies and toddlers, parents and carers within the community and surrounding districts, can interact and enjoy interesting and creative play in a bright, colourful, and friendly atmosphere.

Fete and Farmers' Market a great success

The sun shone all day, music was in the air and stall-holders danced at the Summer Fete and Farmers’ Market on Culross Village Green on Saturday, 23rd July.

The event was opened by Bill Walker MSP, and he encouraged everyone to enjoy the day and spend, spend, spend! They obviously followed his advice and Culross & Torryburn Church will be almost £4,000 better off, because of Saturday’s efforts.

Survey results published

Saline and Steelend Community Futures Community Views Survey was carried out recently.

The survey was carried out as part of the Community Futures participatory process that will help to inform the preparation of our Saline and Steelend Community Action Plan.

To see a copy of the report (and more photos), which summarises the findings of the survey carried out in Saline and Steelend district, including Upper Steelend, Kinnedar Park and Cowstrandburn in March and April 2011, click here.

Culross Festival photos Click here to see more

Saline and Steelend housing survey

An award from the BIG Lottery has enabled Saline and District Community Council to have a clearer understanding of the need for social housing in their communities.

According to Jim Hensman, community council chair: "Survey forms were delivered to the 713 homes in our area and 30 people indicated some form of need for themselves or family."

Survey results (PDF file)

High Valleyfield centenary booklet launched

A booklet looking at the history of High Valleyfield and some of the events and residents who have helped shape the village over the past 100 years has been launched.

The launch was held at High Valleyfield Sports and Recreation Club and was attended by villagers and guests - among them Fife's Deputy Provost, Liz Mogg and local councillors.